The First Telling Off

I always wondered what Leo's first telling off would be about. I pondered how old he would be when I had to seriously tell him 'No' and mean it. 

I cannot remember the exact moment I first told him 'No' and that his actions were just not acceptable, but it was since he turned 12 months back in June. 

I can't remember because it has happened rather frequently recently...

Leo has suddenly out of nowhere began lashing out. He does it when he is excited and he does it when he is angry. I cannot begin to tell you where it has come from, because he has not witnessed it and we have never demonstrated it. 

Leo will raise his hand high up in the air and bring it down quickly to assert your attention, more so if he is frustrated or angry. At the first sign of that hand being lifted into the beyond, I straighten out my index finger and get down to Leo's level, with my finger pointing at him. I look him in the eyes and I tell him 'No, No Leo. You must not hit' and then I sit him down on the ground. If he does it again I repeat the process.

I know he understands the word 'No' but I also know he has selective hearing. I just don't understand as he is so gentle for the most part, especially with other children and the cat we have, but I do worry that he may un-knowingly lash out at another child. 

I want to instill in him that hitting is a negative action right now. I simply don't want him to do it and I don't want him to be branded a bully, and me a young Mum who let's her baby run wild while bullying other children.

Of course I know that Leo is not a bully, he is a baby trying to fathom the ways of the world, and gain a understanding to right and wrong. He is expressing his excitement and then also his anger and frustration when he is not understood.

Somehow I need to help him in those moments of frustration and she him that there are other ways that he can get my attention. I think until he starts talking more then this may be an underlying problem.

For now though, how can I stop Leo from hitting? How can I make him see that it is not a nice thing to do?

Have any of your little one's been like this? How did you change their behaviour?

When 'No' Makes You Cry

Just this evening Leo you awoke for the second time since I put you to bed. 

Your cheeks were all Red and you were feeling warm to the touch. I offered you milk and you shook your head to let me know this was not what you wanted.

I carried you downstairs thinking your teeth were the culprits in this scenario. I measured out the Calpol and offered it to you, where I was met with the same shake of the head. A firm no in your own special way. It was then Leo that you swiped your hands in a deliberate motion to knock the spoon away and out of my hands, resulting in the sticky calpol going all over your clean baby grow.

I looked you straight in the eyes and calmly said 'No, that's naughty' and for the first time ever in the history of me telling you 'No', your bottom lip quivered and you began to cry. A very different cry to your usual temper tantrums. It was a sad cry that really made me feel terrible. 

Guilty and Sorry.

I don't know what I said differently tonight that made you react like I had said the most hurtful things in the world, but you certainly did not like being told 'No'.

I said what I said firmly but I was not angry bubba. I did not really mind changing your baby grow after I had given you the biggest hug in the world, while stroking your beautiful face and kissing your little nose. 

I did not mind at all. 

I calmed you down and kept you close, and after calming you down and sitting quietly for a little while you did take your Calpol and had a bit more milk. There was no more shakes of your cheeky head tonight, and then you let me give you one more good night kiss before tucking you back into bed.

You then rolled over and snuggled into your favourite blankie and closing your eyes once more.

Goodnight baby boy.

I love you.

P.S - Will you be popping through a Fifth tooth any time soon? You may need some more at almost 13 months old. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Mummy

xx